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The SIGG Storm - Confessions of a BPA User
Janelle Sorensen
Friday, August 28, 2009
The internet’s ablaze with the latest consumer fury over SIGG’s (the Swiss water bottle company) confession that their aluminum water bottles have indeed had BPA in them despite their shrouded denials.
With increasing concerns regarding the potential health impacts of BPA, over the past couple of years consumers have been abandoning polycarbonate plastic water bottles and buying stainless steel or aluminum ones in droves. SIGG’s bottles were such a popular replacement they were often sold out at local and on-line retailers. Still, some were skeptical of SIGG. The aluminum bottles were lined with something, but the company refused to divulge their proprietary secret.
At first, the company outright denied the use of BPA. In fact, when EWG and the Organic Consumer’s Association placed SIGG on a list of water bottles that were not BPA-free, the company berated them and demanded to be removed from the list. Over time, they stopped claiming to be BPA-free per se, instead saying the bottles didn’t leach BPA.
According to Jeremiah McNichols from Z Recs,
“SIGG began releasing independent testing showing that its bottles leached no BPA in tests that mimicked liquids like colas, fruit juices, and water. These tests don't appear to be any different from the kinds of tests Canada would do if SIGG wanted to import bottles with that liner into our BPA-banning neighbor's home turf - put the material up against a liquid, wait, and see what comes out. In other words, Health Canada and anyone else who regulates BPA will not test for the presence of BPA in the material itself; they will test to see if BPA comes out of the material. It is entirely conceivable that a material could be made using BPA but be so well-engineered and so carefully used that it does not leach BPA, and that appears to be what SIGG accomplished with its third-party provider.”
Did they really engineer a material that completely locked in the BPA? I’m not sure. Their testing shows no leaching, but the level of detection only goes down to 2ppb (parts per billion). Scientists are finding that with hormone disruptors, like BPA, risky exposure levels can be in the parts per trillion range.
Preliminary studies conducted at the University of Cincinnati several years ago found some rather disturbing results in regards to the low-level impacts of BPA. 
In fact, Dr. Belcher said, while high doses cause little effect, analysis of cellular and molecular markers of estrogen signaling revealed that near-maximal effects of BPA on rat brain neurons not only occurred "at surprisingly low" doses of 0.23 parts per trillion, they also happened in a matter of minutes.
"From other studies it's clear that these low concentrations are in line with human fetal exposures, and at levels one might even see in the water supply," said Dr. Belcher.
This "low-dose" effect of BPA is troubling, Dr. Belcher points out, since its maximal effects occur at the level typical of human exposure. This means that the harmful effects of BPA could easily be missed using standard approaches for determining the risks of chemical exposure.
Since SIGG’s results only show zero leaching down to 2ppb, we really are still in the dark if there’s no leaching at all. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. And, maybe that’s a level of concern for developing brains, but maybe it’s not for a grown adult. Hmph. I don’t know what to think.
Another piece of the story is the fact that SIGG has been making their new “safer” bottles for a year now, but is only telling the public about it now. According to SIGG’s CEO,
To be clear, all SIGG bottles made since August 2008 contain our new BPA free EcoCare liner. SIGG bottles manufactured prior to August 2008 have the former water-based epoxy liner which contains trace amounts of BPA. These bottles have been thoroughly tested and showed 0% leaching of BPA. It is easy to determine which liner you have, as they are of 2 distinctly different colors. Visit www.MySIGG.com/liner to see photos comparing the two.
The primary reason that I am writing this letter today is because I believe that the BPA conversation has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. Last year, the primary concern was that of BPA leaching from bottles. Since that time the dialogue has evolved such that now some people are concerned about the mere presence of BPA and some states are considering legislation.
Do you think this is a legitimate reason for delaying their “confession”? Is this good business practice or precautionary PR?
Two important things to note about the company:
1. They are offering to replace old bottles with the new ones for free (other than postage for returning your current bottles). I think this is pretty unheard of when they have no legal liability to do so. How many baby bottle manufacturers stepped up to offer their new BPA-free versions, for free, in place of the old polycarbonate ones when so many were making the shift last year?
2. SIGG does sell stainless steel water bottles, as well, so you can still get one of the safest options around. And, they participate in the 1% for the Planet program. Clearly not amongst the ranks of the worst corporate offenders.
Two final considerations from Jennifer Taggart of The Smart Mama:
“Now SIGG wants you to buy [bottles with a new liner], contending that it is safe, as in free of bisphenol A and phthalates. I'm not sure that SIGG should be promising it is safe - perhaps it should just advertise what it doesn't have. Personally, I would like to know what is it a copolyester of. And, just a clarification, studies showing low dose hormone disrupting effects date back more than 10 years - it is just that SIGG finally is concerned about BPA's negative publicity. But really, what is apparent is that transparency is a must for a "green" company. If a company claims a proprietary formulation, then you might want to choose to buy from another company."
So, what do you think? Are you mad as hell or do you think they’re still better than most, so we should cut them some slack? And most importantly, are you tossing your bottles?
Posted by Christy on 09/10 at 08:57 AM
As a mother and a retail store owner who once carried SIGG, I am furious. Before I even decided to carry the bottles, I had lengthy conversations with SIGG about the safety of their bottles and decided that they would be safe enough for my children and for my customers. My husband had reservations and said he didn’t trust the linings. Luckily we switched to Klean Kanteens in the shop earlier this year. Our family had been using those for over 6 years as well as the SIGG bottles.
There are so many issues as to why people should be outraged over the SIGG scandal. They CHOSE to wait until their new bottles were ready before they admitted that there were traces of BPA in their old liners. SIGG was raking in the money on their toxic bottles putting people around the world at risk! So many of our CHILDREN were sipping their bottles with toxins. Shame on SIGG for exposing our children to BPAs and with-holding information to make a buck. Perhaps they were gathering enough money so that when a class-action lawsuit comes their way (as it should) they would be prepared financially.
The most irritating thing is HOW they are handling the whole situation. The President has been arrogant in his discussion of the situation and in true SIGG format, skirting the issue. They are being so GRACIOUS as to swap your bottle for a new bottle, with who-knows-what is in their new liner and YOU have to pay the shipping! Clearly they are trying to discourage people to send the bottles back. Not one of my friends or customers is interested in getting another SIGG because all consumer confidences is gone. Honestly, who would trust the company? I certainly don’t think they should be cut ANY slack.
The Soft Landing and Cool Mom Picks is offering something fantastic for this SIGG outrage; return your SIGG bottles and receive 30% off any of their SAFE bottles and if you don’t have a SIGG to return, still receive 20% off of any bottles The Soft Landing carries. This is a fantastic way to discourage people from receiving another yucky SIGG and I am hoping to offer something similar at my retail store, Belly Sprout, in Orange County as well.
The mamas have been telling me how outraged they are about this whole issue and many have discussed how they would like to ship the bottles back with a letter stating that this is NOT o.k. I would support them all the way.
Christy Funk
www.bellysprout.com
http://www.bigbottleswap.com/
Posted by Helen on 09/10 at 10:01 AM
I am PISSED! I want to throw all my bottles in the trash and never look back….but I spent more than a little cash on our now 6 bottle collection! It would be nice to have those replaced. I should have known it though and I can remember joking with my friend about what will be later found to be bad about these too. Just because something is plastered all over your local Co-op just does not mean it is safe. Hard lesson to learn. Makes me feel pretty stupid.
Posted by wendy on 09/10 at 10:05 AM
I’ve tried to download the return for pdf from their site several times and it doesn’t work. They say you can exchange the bottles at wegman’s and wholefoods, but they may require proof of purchase. How many people save a receipt for a bottle they bought two years ago?
Posted by Mendi on 09/10 at 10:16 AM
I am very upset. I spent a lot of money on these bottles for 2 young children. I thought I was keeping them safe from BPA’s. Turns out I wasn’t doing that at all.
Posted by Michelena on 09/10 at 10:24 AM
I AM mad as hell! The sole and primary reason that I bought that bottle was to stop using my Nalgene bottle, because of the BPA. I drank from that damn bottle throughout my entire pregnancy - and even during childbirth, thinking I was safe from BPA. I have no idea what to do with them now! On the one hand I spent 50 bucks on two bottles that I thought would last for a long time, so trading them in sounds appealing. On the other hand there are two concerns; first can I trust that their new lining is safe? How can I be sure? Secondly, do I want to continue walking around with a Sigg bottle with their distinctive design, and spreading their brand recognition when people see and admire it? I feel like I don’t want to be doing them any favors.
I am leaning towards the retailers who are offering a “trade-in discount”, who will allow me to send in my bottle to them for recycling, and then offering a discount on the other brands - and especially stainless steel which doesn’t need a liner, which have always been truly BPA free.
And eff Whole Foods who want a receipt to return a Sigg purchased there - who keeps a grocery store receipt for more than a year?!?!
Posted by JB on 09/10 at 10:53 AM
I think anytime a company doesn’t want to divulge what is in a product or what a product is made of is suspect. I have 2 bottles and purchased them with the risk in mind but hoping that it wasn’t harmful in any way as the company states. I think I will get rid of them. I also have a Kleen Kanteen and I’m also hoping nothing will come out that that material is bad for you!!
Where does it end? Money making while hurting people and the environment. Frustrating.
Posted by Josephine on 09/10 at 10:57 AM
After reading this article, I immediately called our local Whole Foods, and spoke with the gal that runs that dept. She says come in and exchange them for the newer “safer” bottles. I’m not wasting any time.
As the founder of PediaOrganic (www.pediaorganic.com) I made sure our bottles were 100% BPA Free when I launched back in 2007. I think Sigg is doing their best to fix the issue by offering the free exchanges. However, I’m not sure why this became an issue? When they launched with their very strong campaign where moms every where were tossing out all plastic water bottles, and had all of us running to buy their “safer” bottles.
I’m willing to give them another chance by going to Whole Foods and getting the new ones. I might even consider doing the all stainless steel Sigg if I can find them in the stores. Leaving nothing to chance!
Posted by Daisy on 09/10 at 11:49 AM
Mad as hell. They had to know their bottles were leaching BPA before they designed the new liners. So the whole time I was pregnant and through my entire 1st year of breastfeeding I have been a proud SIGG supporter, carrying my brightly designed bottles everywhere. Convincing others to switch was also part of my support. Now I am the owner of 4 “old” SIGG bottles and 5 eco liner bottles. I am not sure I can even trust this new eco liner either…..they should be offering to switch us out for the entirely stainless steel style. I know my toddler will have more trouble toting around her own stainless bottle but I DONT WANT MY DAUGHTER TO DRINK OUT OF SIGG AT ALL…..
Posted by MB on 09/10 at 12:54 PM
Delaying the information is not good business practice but it is a common one all the same.
BPA is present in more than just water bottles.
Do you eat any food from cans?:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/bpa-danger-from-cans.php
I agree with JB, ” Where does it end? Money making while hurting people and the environment. Frustrating. ”
Posted by Anna Getty on 09/10 at 03:04 PM
I for one am truly disgusted by Sigg’s actions. Three years ago I wrote to them asking if there was BPA in their linings and wrote back to me denying it. They lied to my face. I wrote to The OCA telling them their accusations were wrong. I don’t care what Sigg is offering now. How am I to know if their new lining is completely non-toxic? My 4-year old has been drinking out of their bottles for 3 years and I drank out of one throughout my last pregnancy. Who knows what kind of damage if any has been done. I will no longer support their business. There are other companies making great bottles like www.earthlust.com and www.camelbak.com.
Posted by Cate on 09/11 at 03:15 AM
FYI, Whole Foods graciously returned my Siggs today and gave me a store credit - no requirement that I purchase an allegedly new and improved Sigg, nor requirement of receipt.
ps - I’m mad mad mad too, I drank from mine for years but interestingly/thankfully enough, opted to not give them to my toddlers as the spouts seemed too complicated for them.
Posted by Elizabeth on 09/11 at 10:12 AM
I’m MAD! Even though I never did trust the company and never purchased them, they lied. I feel that they deserve whatever back lash they get from this fiasco. They lied to the public to protect their bottom line. Simple as that.
Posted by Justyn on 09/15 at 08:05 PM
The bottom line is they LIED and profited from it, knowingly. They have lost me as a customer for good. Why would I want their “eco” bottle. I will not support them. New Seasons in Portland exchanged the bottles for Kleen Kanteen! My family has been using them for years now and I am so pissed by this. I do not get why any consumer would give them a 2nd chance- not when they knowingly deceived consumers. Also, for all of the consumers who are also will not support SIGG again I suggest you tell the stores you see that carry them that you don’t want them to carry them, it is not a company you trust. I am.
Posted by Bon on 09/30 at 06:49 PM
I am in Australia and have found the company who import Sigg bottles here to be really helpful in their replacement program. They offered to replace our bottles also footing the bill for postage and handling. After extensive research on the internet, reading both positive and negative information, I have opted not to bother replacing my 6 bottles as I believe they are not a health hazard for my family.
I am much more concerned about the amount of other products that contain BPA and other toxic chemical substances, as we have no laws here in Australia banning the usage of BPA in our packaging. (ie tin can liners, plastic drink bottles and food containters..etc.)
Posted by Alison on 09/10 at 08:12 AM
I had not heard this story before, but I have just replaced my son’s Sigg water bottle purchased in 2007 as the lining appeared to have cracked and there were hard deposits within the bottle which could not be washed out. He had only ever had water in it. I’ve bought a stainless steel mudpuppy for him in his favourite colour- red!